Flow control means



p 1947- w. s. LANDON FLQW CONTROL MEANS Filed Dec. 5. 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR A ATTORNEY pt. 9, 1947. w. s. L'ANDON 2,427,059

FLQW CONTROL MEANS Filed Dec. 3, 1945- 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Wm J. .Qmuw

MKM

M ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 9, 194

Walter S. Landon, Detroit, Mich, assignor to Detroit Lubricator Company, Detroit, Mich., a

corporation of Michigan Application December 3, 1943, Serial No. 512,716

14 Claims. (01. 137-438) This invention relates to new and useful devices for controlling th flow of liquid and more particularly to constant liquid level devices adapted primarily for feeding liquid fuel to a gravity fed burner.

An object of the invention is to provide means to compensate for change in flow due to temper-.

ature change.

Another object is to overcome the wearing of movable parts which will result from jarring and oscillation of the device during times of non-use such as will occur in shipment.

Another object is to provide means to control the liquid head on the outlet of the device in accordance with change in the effective area of :the outlet port.

Another object is to provide means to lock the inlet and outlet valves in closed position.

Another object is to provide means to establish predetermined flow from the outlet.

Another object is to provide a device which can be readily assembled and disassembled in the field. i

Another object is to provide means to prevent the undesirable admission of water or other liquid to the device.

The invention consists in the improved construction and combination of parts to be more' fully described hereinafter and the novelty of which will be particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed.

In the accompanying drawings to be taken as a part of this specification, there are fully and clearly illustrated several preferred embodiments of the invention, in which drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the control device having the cover member removed'to show internal structure;

Fig. 2 is a view in section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; I

Fig. 3 is a view in section on the line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a view in section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a detail view looking from left to right facing Fig. 2 and taken on the line 5-5;

Fig. 6 is a detail view showing the changed position of certain of the parts as a result of temperature change;

Fig. '7 is a detail view looking from left to right facing Fig. 4 and ShOWil'lg a modified form of control device, and

Fig. 8 is a view in vertical sectionthrough the constant level casing with certain parts omitted and showing another form of locking means for the float and inlet valve.

Referring to the drawings by characters. of reference, I designates generally a casing or container providing a constant liquid level chamber 2 having an inlet passageway 3 with a horizontal portion having 'an internally screw-threaded inlet portion 4 for connection to a supply tank, see Fig. 4. The horizontal portion contains a tubular strainer member 5 carried by a threaded plug 6 screwed into the horizontal passageway portion at its opposite end from the inlet portion 4. The passageway 3 has an upward extending portion 1. in a hollow boss or tube 8 positioned within the chamber 2 so that liquid must pass through the strainer member 5 during flow to the portion 1. Screw-threaded into the upper end of the boss 8 there is a guide and port member 9 having an inlet port and valve seat l0 and containing a needle valve H which extends upward beyond the member 9; where it is pro vided with an end slot l2. The member 9 has lateral outlet ports l3' above and on the outlet side of the valve seat and feeding into the chamher 2. Positioned within the chamber 2 there is a hollow annular float member [4 which may be of thin sheet metal and which is operatively connected-to the inlet valve l l by a resilient lever I5 having a resilient portion and iulcrumed on a pivot pin or shaft l6. The lever [5 has a bell crank portion with a substantiallyhorizontal arm I! having an end slot 1 8 with a flared or divergent opening and, having a width to rotatably fita cross pin [9 extending between and securedin the side walls of the valve slot l2. The slot I8 is of slightly reduced width adjacent and on the inward side of its flared end portion so that the pin I9 will not pass freely therethrough. Therefore, the side walls or arms of the slot l8 must be flexed slightly in order to remove the valve member II from the arm 11. The lever l5 has an upstanding arm 20 which is inclined at an angle of about 10 to a vertical plane through the shaft IE or to a plane through the pin [9 and the longitudinal-centerline of valve member II and which is positioned adjacent the.

said plane through the. valve member pin [9 but intermediate the pin l9 andthe shaft l6. .Secured to the arm 20,.asby rivets 2|, and providing the resilient portion of lever I5, there is a U-shaped temperature responsive member 22 of bimetal having an intermediate substantially semi-circular portion and tangential end portions, one of the end portions lying and being secured against the arm 20 by the rivets 2|. The

fused to the bimetal semi-circular portion and isv secured to the float member I4 by solder or the like. Therefore, since the portion 23 is not flexed by temperature change, change of temperature does not weaken the solder joint.

The end portions of the shaft I6 extend into vertical opposed slots 24 in vertical bosses projecting inward into the chamber 2 from the side walls of the casing I, the shaft I6 substantially fitting the slots 24, so that the shaft I6 is held against lateral movement transversely to its longitudinal axis. The end portionsof the shaft |6= extend through inclined substantially horizontal elongated apertures in parallel downward extending arms 25, see Figs. 2 and 5, projecting from the underside of parallel side flanges 26 of an adjustment and supporting lever 21. The side flanges 26 at the end of the lever 21, opposite the supporting members 25, have downward extending bearing ears 28 having substantially horizontal open bearing slots 29 therein opening through the end edges of the ears which face away from themembers 25. The slots 29 receive a bearing shaft 30 secured at its: ends in alined apertures through side walls of the casing I and through positioning bosses 3| projecting inward from the casing side walls. Positioned below the shaft 38 the casing I has a horizontal shelf or wall 32 which cooperates with the ears 28' to locate the slots 29 on the shaft 30, the lower edge portions 33'of the ears 28 being arcuate and serving as a cam cooperablewith the shelf 32, so that when the lever 21 is positioned for and moved into assembly into the casing I, the engagement of the ear endportions 34 with the shelf 32 will guide and 'position the slots 29-to slide over oronto the shaft 3623s the lever 21 is rotated counterclockwise-downward and simultaneously slid toward the right facing Fig. 2. Through the shelf 32 there is a vertical internally threaded aperture in which there is screw-threaded a downward extending overflow pipe 35 for outflow of liquid from the chamber 2 in the event the valve member 'II fails to seal the port I0. Thi pipe or tube 35 also functions normally as an atmospheric air inlet to the chamber 2 and, by-having it open downwardly through-the shelf 32, prevents the entrance of dirt, Water or other foreign matter into the chamber 2.

Concentric with the float member I4 when it is in horizontal position, as in Fig. 2, there is an upstanding combined liquid outlet and gas vent member 36, of generally oval form in horizontal cross section, which extends upward from the bottom wall ofthe casing I and terminates adjacent the underside of the lever 27. Through the bottom wall of the casing and an external coupling boss'3'I, there is an outlet passageway 38 internally screw-threaded at its outer cylindrical end portion to receive a pipe or conduit to be connected to the fuel burner or other point of use of the liquid from chamber 2. Above the cylindrical outlet passageway portion, there is a transverselyelongated portion 39, through the top wall of which open in substantially parallel vertical relation a vent passage 40 and an outlet port 4| having a valve seat member 42. Through the side wall of the member 36, at, but on the inlet, side of the seat member 42, there is a horizontal substantially rectangular slot 43 providing a port for flow of liquid from the chamber 2 to the port 4| and forming part of the outlet passageway 38. The member 36 has, above the slot 43, a cylindrical guideway 44 in which there is positioned a longitudinally reciprocal metering valve 45 having, at its lower end, a cylindrical port closing portion 46- of reduced diameter to slidably fit the outlet aperture through the seat member 42. The

valve portion 36 terminates in a downward tapered metering portion 41, which cooperates with the seat member aperture to control flow from the chamber 2. On the reduced end portion 45 there is a shut off disc or washer 48 engageable with the seat member 42 to seal the outlet passageway 38, the disc 48 preferably being of resilient rubber-like material, such as Ameripol. The washer'48', however, may be dispensed with when the control device is to be used in extremely low ambient temperatures at which the viscosity of the liquid would render the washer unnecessary. The stem 49 of the valve 45 slidably fits the guideway 44 and has projecting therefrom upper and lower, substantially horizontal and parallel, guide pins 50, 5| which are slidable into a bayonet type slot 52 in the upper end portion of the member 36. The slot 52 has downward facing locking shoulders 53 cooperable, upon rotation of the stem, with the upper circumferential edge of the pin 58 which provides an upward facing locking shoulder. The stem 49 extends upward through a circular opening 54 in and through the lever 21 and therebeyond through an aperture 55 through the cover member 56 of the casing I. Within the casing I and above the lever 21, the stem 49 has a downward facing shoulder 5'! against which abuts the upper end of a helical coil spring 58 surrounding the stem. Secured as by rivets to the underside of the web or base of the channel lever 21 at a point above the lever supporting shaft 30, there is a movable supporting member 59, preferably a leaf spring downwardly offset, as at 60, to lie substantially parallel to the lever 21. The leaf spring 59 extends longitudinally of the lever 27 to a point substantially midway between the metering valve stem 49 and the float supporting arms 25. Through the spring '59 there is an elongated aperture 6| of less width than the diameter of lever aperture 54 and having at its end toward the lever supporting shaft 33 a radial slot 62. The pins 55, 5| are of a length to pass readily through the lever aperture 54 and are of a diameter and length to pass readily through slot 62, so that the pins 50, 5| can be withdrawn upwardly through the slot 62 and the aperture 54. The lower end of the coil spring 58 seats on a Washer or disc 63 which is of less diameter than the aperture 54 but which is of greater diameter than the width of the aperture 5|, so that the side edge portions of the disc 63 seat on the leaf spring 59. The spring 58 is under compression and therefore pulls and holds the upper circumferential edge of the pin 50 into and in engagement with the undersideof the leaf spring 59' at a side portion of the aperture 6|, so that the metering valve 45 is movable with the lever 21 An adjustment screw. 64 is adjustably screw-threaded in an aperture through the lever 21' and has, at its lower end, a head or lateral flange 65 on which the leaf spring 59 seats, the leaf spring 59 preferably being apertured to receive the screw. The leaf 7 The valve stem 49 above the shoulder 51 has' a sliding fit in a closure member or collar 66 which fits loosely for lateral play within the cover member aperture 55. The collar 66 has a circumferential flange 6,1 which extends beyond and overlies the edge of aperture 55 and seats on the top face of the cover member 56. The collar 66 is held in the aperture 55 by an annular washer or disc 68 which engages the under face of the cover member 56 and which is secured to the collar member as, for example, by swaging over the under end portion of the collar member. The collar 66 being free to aline itself with the stem 49, permits the stem to move freely through the cover member 56 without binding against the side wall of the aperture, while maintaining a relatively tight fit in the collar member aperture which closes the cover member aperture, so that liquid cannot gain access to the chamber through the cover member aperture or around the stem 49. The cover member is preferably held in place on the casing by screws 69, tapped into the side walls of the casing I. A gasket 16, sealing the joint between the cover member'and casing, is also provided.

Secured to the end wall of the casing l opposite the lever supporting shaft 30 there is a supportin member 1! in the form of an angle bracket having a horizontal flange 12 extending toward the metering valve 45 and seating on upward facing shoulders or steps 13 on the internal wall of easing I. The bracket 1| has an upstanding flange 14 which laterally abuts the inside face of the casing end wall and which is clamped and held thereagainst by a clamp screw 15'. In overlying relation to the inlet valve II, the lever 21 has a longitudinal extension 16 providing a spring receiving abutment portion which receives'one end of a helical coil spring 11 having its other end located by and on a tongue projecting from the bracket flange 12. The spring 11 is removably secured to the bracket 1| by inserting an end portion of the spring through a bracket aperture, as at 18', so that the end turn of the spring is held in position on the bracket tongue. The spring 11 acts at an acute angle on and longitudinally of the lever 21 and is held under compression between the bracket flange 12 and the lever 21 and has its point of engagement with lever 21 movable over or through center upon upward and downward movement of the lever. The component of force of the spring 11 acting longitudinally of the lever 21 holds the inner ends of the slots 29 of the supporting ears 28 resiliently against the fulcrum shaft 30. In the upward position of the lever 21, the upward movement of the lever 21 by the upward component of force of the spring 11 is'limited by a maximum fuel flow or high fire adjusting screw 19 which is Iadjustably screwthreaded through the bracket flange 12' and extends downward'therefrom for engagement by the horizontal end portion of a downward offset arm 80 extending from the base or web of the lever 21. In the downward position of the lever 21, its downward movement is normally limited by a resilient stop member 8|, preferably a leaf.

spring,- which exerts a greater resisting force than'the downward-cornponent of force of the spring 11 in its down position. The leaf spring 8| is riveted or otherwise secured at one end, as at 82, to the top face of the web of lever 21 and has its 'free end portion inclined and projecting "downward at the side of the stop arm for engagement with the top face of the head or flange of a low fuel flow or minimum fire adjustment member or screw 53 which is adjustably screw-threaded through the bracket flange 12" at one side of the screw 19. Upward flexing of the spring 8| by downward pressure on thelever 21-, after spring 8| engages member '83, permits the lever 21 and shaft IE to have continued downward movement beyond the low fire limit.

The operation of the control device is as follows: This control device is particularly adapted for supplying liquid fuel of low specific gravity, such as gasoline, to liquid fuel burners to be used in sub-zero temperatures which may run as low as minus 60 F. With the inlet passageway 3 connected at the threaded portion 4 to a liqid fuel supply tank providing a liquid head, preferably of about 30 inches, the outlet passageway 38 connected to the burner, and the lever 21 against the high fire stop 19, then if the metering valve 45has not been adjusted to provide a desired flow to the burner of say 9 cc. per minute at an ambient temperature of the air and liquid of about 70 F., with the float member [4 maintaining the liquid level at the line L, thereby providing say a quarter inch head of liquid above :the chamber outlet or seat member 42, the control device is adjusted as follows: With the cover member 56 removed, the inlet valve I I, when the ambient is 70 F., is manually held against its seat by direct manual pressure thereon, and the high or maximum fire adjustment screw 19 is adjusted to raise or lower the fulcrum pin 16 until a point on a diametral line of the top surface of'the float member l4, which line is parallel to pin I6, is a predetermined distance below the top edge of the chamber side wall such that after the valve member II is released, there will be a one quarter inch liquid head on the chamber outlet. Since the metering valve 45 is carried by the lever 21, this adjustment of lever 21 by the screw 19 will also adjust the metering valve 45 relative to its seat member 42. Now, the inlet valve ll being released, if it is found that with the liquid head at the desired height of one quarter inch, the flow through the seat member 42 and from the outlet 38 is less than the desired flow of say 9 cc. per minute, then the adjustment screw 64 is turned up or down to adjust the position of the metering valve 45 relative to the lever 21 and to its port through the seat member 42. The minimum or low flre adjustment screw 83 is also adjusted to provide the desired low flame at the burner, this adjustment, of course, being made when the spring 11 is below center and the stop BI is engaging the stop flange of the screw 83. It may be noted that a lower than customary flame or fuel flow can bemaintained with this control device by reason of the ability of the attendant to clean the orifice or port in the seat member 42 by merely pushing downward on and then releasing the metering valve 45, thus flexing the spring stop 8| and forcing the orifice cleaning portion 46 through-the seat member orifice to clean out any dirt, wax or ice crystals which may have accumulated. The control device being ready a eaaoae for operation, the'burner cannow be.=fiooded:or

primed by lifting or pulling-upward-on the metering stem 49 which will pull :thestopv -80.-upagainst- ,the high fire screw I9 and-w-ill thereafter flex thesupporting leaf spring 59,- thereby permit-- ting-the valve portion 41 to-be WithdraWIrirOm its seat member orifice beyond vrits-high firecposition and for agreatly increasedflow of fuelto the burner. does not withdraw the pin 5.I= from the vertical portion of the bayonet slot: and: therefore when. the-stem 49 is released, the. metering.-valve-- l5,'v under the force ofleaf spring 59; seeks andrests in its high fireposition. At the above maximum fire rate of flow-to the burner; theinlet valve: II will be maintainedabout .006: of-anzinelr-offi its seat by the float member I4 so that therezwill beracontinuous substantiallyiconstant rateofflow to and through the-chambenZ, ,while-the'burner is inoperation ata given ambient temper ature. If thetemperatureof the. ambient drops or decreases, then-thebimetal lever. portion-22 will-,-contract tolift the-,inletvalve II- relative to the 70 F. constant liquidlevelline. corresponding to the fulllinaposition ofthefioat member, Fig. 6, to provide a greater rateof-inflow to the chamber 2, thereby increasingthe head of liquid on the chamber. outlet to compensate for the increasedviscosityor.density of the liquid fuel. The upward movement ofithewalve II:by the bimetal'member' or portioninwill -re-'- sult inthe float member I.4 rising with them? creased liquid: level, therebygdepressing.'thevalve I I to throttle the inlet'to-the chamber-2: When the temperatureof the ambientihasdecreased to say- 60 below zero, thenthe bimetal portion 22' will have contracted until the float member-I4 takes the position shown in dash dot linesin Fig. 6; which will not only raise the valveeadjacent upper corner of the floatmember'll'but will tilt. or rock-the float members irelative to the valve' member I I and to the normally horizontal liquid' levelpline. It will be apparent vthat'as the tem-'- perature decreasesfromflO F. above zero, th'e bi-metalportion 22 and-the-float member; M? will be correspondingly shiftedyor. moved toward thedash dot line position'of Fig; 6-, thereby grad- Y ually increasin the liquidlevelinthe chamber 2, until, at the minus .60? ,F. temperature; the" level willhavebeen: increased substantially to the line L, see Fig. 2; thereby; providing-a liquid headoi substantially 5%. inch: This increase-in liquid headz'will also in partbe =caused by-thereduction in the force of the.floatimem bersacte ing against the liquid head fromthe-supply. tank. by reason of the shortening-of the leveriarmto the length X=Figt 6 from-the 70'F.-leng.th Y, which is the length betweerr the shaft I6- and the center of ,buoyancy'of the float member. It is desirable that-the increasing liquid .head shall not compensate fully for'the increasing:viscosity, so as to maintain'a-constantrate of fiow from. the outlet 38 as the temperature decreasesuor' when the temperature holds at a newr'levehxbe cause a slightly decreasingflow rate from'th'e' outlet can provideufull, heatoutput; compensa- I tion at the burner by, reason ofithecin'crease .in".

the viscosity of 'th'eli'quid' fuel, sinoekthe more dense the liquid'fuel-becomes, the: greater the;

B. t. u. content'of the fuel for anytgivenquani tity;

chamber -2-and the bimetal member--willrrhave This upward': Onpriming movement expanded to' increase the lever arm: to a: length depressed or. moved downward which actsthrough the. spring 58. and leaf spring 59: to move. the lever 21 downward against theupward component of forceof the compressionspring'fl. Be-

10: forethe resilient. stop member. 81I= engagesv thestop, screw.83, the spring: "will be moved overcenter, so that .thecombinedldownward component of spring. IT and the. force of spring. 58

willhol'dlthezlever ZTIinits vminimum flow position-with stop. 8.'I.against screw. 83. This down- 'ward-movement= of. the.lever 2.1-. wil1-establish a new positionior. themetering-valve portion. 41 and will alsoomovetlieinletvalve fulcrum pin Ifildownwardiin itsguide slots Zl'fromthe posiwillbe simultaneously provided: a new and decreased liquid. headion theoutlet of chamber ZQandLa reduced..effective..flow areathrough the seatlmember 42. The positioning of the. pin Ifilatth'elevel b"will.move .the.float.member I4 'downwardtotheposition indicated bythe dashdotlline S', Fig. 2;.and. establish the liquid level atthelineL l'. Thebimetal lever portionZZwill functionin'this new-position ofthe. valve fulcrum I6 to compensate for temperature changes in. the. same manner aS describedabove.

If"it.isdesired to. shut off the burner, then the stem 49 isemovedfurtherdownward; compressing the spring 58-.againstthe .opposing force of the low. fire stop-v spring-1 8'I- and flexing the spring 8 I- sothat the fulcrum pin IB=is moved furtherdownward: in its guide slots-.24-until the center-line. of-- the. pirr I fiwreaches the horizontal line o when the-float member Id -will have been moved.to the-'dash-dot'line t,-,Fig. 2, and be in. engfi ementwith the :bottom wall of chamber'2,. the valve- IIbeing: simultaneouslyv seated with washer 48w against the seat' member 42. In order, however, to locktheinlet valve I I in closed position, the-pin 5D1must passzb'elow andv be rotatedeto lie under the bayonet slot shoulder ature bringing the-.fulcrum'pin' I6 say'to'thelinew d. andtherefore. the'float member I land the inlet valve II will'beresiliently urged against the 55.bottoml casing-wall and thez-inletzvalve seat' respectively so that vibration or jarring. of the casing I- will not cause-1 movement 1 of any part.

Upon. movement of the-locking ;pin"5ll "downward to underlie theshoulder 53; the cylindricalwmeteringrvalve portion 46-willthave beenmoved' through-its.- valve seataperture; thereby clean ing the :seat port of any foreign-matter or wax The" positioning-of thepin- 5fl=to underlie-shoulder 53' will have compressedthevalve 'disc .48 against the which mayhave-separatedout of the fuel.

seatmember 42; thereby sealing the outlet pas; sagewayy 38;

position'athe pin-50z undeneithenshoulder 53 of the bayonetslot, th'erebyiwiping th'e .top' face of If the temperature of the fuel and-:air increases to say 100 F: ab'ove zero; therrthefi'oat member I4 will take the dotted lineposition; Fig.-. 6,, to maintain? a lowerconstant liquid level in.

seat member 42 I'and3lockingtheinlet and outlet valves-inf closed position.

The control device may be: readily disassembled and assemblediinrthe :field as follows: After 2 taking; out the cover member screws 69,- the cover:

tion-a .for. high. fireto the position b so that there The valve stem 49 may now be rotatedeither clockwise; or: counterclockwise to.

member 56 is removed, it being freely slidable off the metering valve stem 49. Then the bracket holding screw 15 is removed and the bracket H i lifted in its guide slots, thereby lifting the lever 21 in a clockwise direction, the elongated leaf spring aperture BI and the lever aperture 54 permitting this movement. The lever 21 is now held in this up position and the metering stem 49 is lifted against the force of the coil spring 58 and the leaf spring 59, so that the pin will clear the top of the stem guide member 36. The stem 49 can now be rotated to brin the pins 50, 5I in line with the slot 62, thereby permitting withdrawal of the metering valve through the apertures 6| and 54. The lever 21 can now be rotated further upward, lifting the inlet valve I I as the bearing pin I6 moves upward in the guide slots 24. When the valve I I has been withdrawn from its guide member 9 and the bearing pin I6 has been lifted out of the slots 24, then with the float member I4 clearing the top of the guide member 36, the lever 21 can be moved to the left facing Fig. 2 so that the fulcrum slots 29 are removed from the bearing shaft 30. The disassembly will result in three subassemblies, namely the bracket 1I-,the metering valve 45 and the lever 21. In these subassemblies, the bracket 1I will be carrying the spring 11, the metering valve 45 willbe carrying the spring 58 and washer 63, and the lever 21 will be carrying the float member I4 and the inlet valve I I. If it is desired to disassemble the subassembly of the lever 21, this may be readily done by pushing out the bearing pin I6'and snapping the valve II out of its supporting slots I8 in the lever I5. Reassembly of the control device will be apparent from the foregoing steps of disassembly but it might be noted that with the float member positioned to pass over the guide member 36, the slots 29, aided by the cam portions-33 ofthe ears 28, are positioned tOlSlldB 'onto the bearing shaft 30 and then the lever 21 is rotated downward counterclockwise to bring the ends ofithe float member supporting pin I6 into the guide slots 24 so that the inlet valve II hangin vertically will pass into its guide member 9. The lever 21 is held in an up position sufficient to permit .the pin 5| of the metering valve to clear the top of the guide member 36 and the metering valve 45 is then inserted through the aperture 54 and slot 62 when it may be'rotated tothe position shown in Fig. 2. Continued'downward movement of the' lever 21 is now had and then the coil spring 11 is seated against thelever abutment 16 and the bracket 1I is positioned downward into its seating position as in Fig. 2 and the holding screw 15 is screwed in place." Thecover member 56 may now be secured in position and the control device is ready for operation.- i

Referring to Fig. 7; thecontrol device here illustrated is constructed for onlytwo metering valve positions, namely maximum or normal fire position and burneri off or valve closed position. The .lowfire adjustment screw 83 i eliminated and'likewise the resilient stop member 8|, described above, and the coil spring receiving end portion of the main lever 21 is bent or inclined upwardly, as at I00, so that when the metering valve 45v is moved downward tooiT position such that thepin 50 can be rotated under the shoulders 53, the lever engagin coil spring 11 will not, be moved over or. below it center line position. The spring 11 will therefore becontinually exerting an upward component of force on the lever 21, even when the metering valveis in its closed and locked position. The operation of the control device with the change as in this Fig. 7 and the adjustment of the same for high or maximum burner flame is the same as above described in connection with the device of Fig. 2. It is therefore unnecessary to again describe the operation, as the only change is the elimination of the low fire setting or position of the parts, except that the metering valve and float position will automatically move to high fire position upon release of the pin 50 from beneath the shoulder 53,

In Fig. 8 there is shown another form of looking means for holding the inlet valve closed and which also is useful to maintain the inlet valve and float member against vibration or movement during transportation, thereby avoiding wearing of the parts which may render the device unfit for use upon arrival at its destination. The inlet vavle I I controlling the inlet port I0 is connected to the float member I4 by a lever arm I20 which may, if desired, be of a construction similar to the lever I5 of Fig. 2, a fulcrum or pin I2I being provided for the lever arm I20. Mounted on the cover member 56 there is a tubular guide member I22 alined with an aperture through the cover member 56 and in which there is reciprocable a manually operable pull rod I23 having a guide and latching finger or pin I24 which, upon rotation of the rod I23, is seatable 'upon a guide member shoulder I25 to hold the rod I23 in an up position. The rod I23 carries an abutment member I26 having an end portion I21 reciprocally guided in a chamber I28 in the inner end portion of the rod I23 and supported against downward movement by a helical coil spring I29. The abutment member I26 has a horizontal arm I30 engageable with the underside of the float member I4, such that when the pin I24 is on the shoulder I25 the spring I29 will be under compression, thereby holding the inlet valve I I tightly against its seat and the float member I4 in an upward locked position, tensioning the lever arm I20. The float member I4 and inlet valve II can be released for operation by rotating the rod I23 to position the pin I24 in line with the guide member slot I3I and then moving the rod. I23 downward into the chamer 2. It will be apparent that this locking means of Fig. 8 will be found useful in other forms of float controlled liquid level devices than that shown in Fig. 2.

What is claimed and is desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A liquid level control device; comprising a constant level chamber having an inlet and an outlet, means controlling flow from said outlet, and means operable upon actuation of said flow controlling means to decrease the flow from said outlet to decrease the liquid level maintained in said chamber.

2. A liquid level control device, comprising a constant level chamber having an inlet and an outlet, adjustable means to control the liquid level in said chamber, metering means controlling flow from said chamber, and means interconnecting said adjustable means and said metering means such that operation of said metering means to decrease flow from said chamber will decrease the liquid level maintained in said chamber.

3. A liquid level control device, comprising a constant level chamber having an inlet and an outlet, a valve controlling said inlet, a metering valve controlling said outlet, a float member responsive to liquid level in said chamber, means operatively connecting said float member to said '7 inlet valve, and means operable to change the 11 operating position of said float memberirelative to sa-id' inlet valve upon= movement of saidmetering valvetodecrease the-flow from saidoutlet.

4. "A liquid level control device, comprising a constant level chamber having an inlet and an outlet,a 'fioat operated valve member controlling said 1 in-let and having anoperating lever, means pivotally supporting said lever, an adjustment lever carryingsaid supportingmeans, ametering valve controlling said outlet, and means :operatively' connecting said metering valve to said adjusting lever -s that movement of said meterin'g valve-toward closed position will move said supporting means to decrease the "liquid level maintained in said chamber.

5. -A liquid level control-device, comprising a constant'levelchamber havingan inlet sand an outlet,-a float operated valve member-controlling said-inlet and having an operating lever, means pivotallysupportingsaid lever, an adjustment lever carrying said supporting. means,. a metering valve controlling said outlet, means operatively connecting said metering valveitossaidsadjusting lever sothat movement of said meteringavalve toward closed position will move r said supporting means to :decrease the .liquid level maintained in said :chamber, :and resilient stop 11163J1S1'CO- operable with said adjustingilever tollimitaclosing movement .of said metering :valve, :said Aresilient =means rflexing upon the application :of force to saidmetering valve so that said metering valve'nan be :moved to. outlet closing 1 position.

76. Ailiquid level control device, rcomprising :a constant level chamber having an inlet and an outlet, a float operated valve: memberv controlling said inlet :and having an operating I lever, means pivotally supporting said lever, anadjustment lever carrying'said supportingmeansa: metering valve controlling said outlet, vmeansmperatiVely connectingsai'dmetering :valve tosaid adjusting lever so that movement of said :metering valve toward closed position will move: said supporting means-to decrease the liquid level maintained in said chamber, resilient stop =means cooperable with said adjusting lever to limit closing movement of said meteringvalve-saidresilient-means "flexing upon the application of force to said metering valve so that said :metering -valve can 'be'moved'to-outlet; closing positiom-and means to lock said metering'valvein'outlet closing position against 'the 'force-of-said "resilient means.

7. A liquid level'control'device, comprising 'a constant 'level "chamber having an inlet and an outlet-afloat operatedvalve member controlling said 4 inlet and 'having an "operating lever, means pivotally supporting said lever, an adjustment lever-carrying said supporting means, ametering valve "controlling said outlet, means operatiVel-y connecting said metering valve to said adjusting lever so1that movement of said metering valvc toward closedposition will move said supporting means to decrease the liquid level -maintained in said'chamber, resilient means resisting movement'ofsa'id'metering valve toward closed position, *andgmeans'operable upon'movement of said meteringivalvetoward closedposition tolock said meteringvalve against the force of --said resilient means.

8. A liquid level control "device, comprising a constant level "chamber having an inlet and an 'outlet,.a float operatedva'lve-member controlling said" inlet and having "an operating lever, =means .pivotally supporting .said lever, an adjustment lever carryingrsaid-supportingmeans, a metering valve "controlling "said outlet, 'means *operatively connecting said'metering valve .to .said;adjusting lever .soithat ymovement pf -=said metering valve toward closedpositionwill move said supporting meanstoideorease theyliquidlevel maintained in said :chamber, ,z'resilient means :resisting :movement of said metering-valve toward closed position, guide means :for said 'meteringvalve. and cooperablelocking:means on said guide :means and the stem :of: saidgmetering valve to-h'old said metering valv against movement by said resilient means eupon movement of --said z'meteringvalve toward closed position.

59. A liquid I level control device :comprising a constant ilevel z-chamber having an inlet and an outlet, ELTVQJVG member controlling said in-let, a valve.membercontrolling said outlet, a float memberresponsive to liquid-level in said "chamber, resilient means .operatively connecting said float member 'tosaid inlet valve :member to maintain a substantially, eonstant :level in said chamber, means :to close said outlet :valve -member, abutment means engageable by said -float member D r-fieXingnof said :resilient means, and 'means operable by movement of said. outlet :valve member ItUtGIlSlOIl said resilienttmeans and :to-move andholdsaid-inlet valve member closedand to move and'hold-said float-member against-said abutment means.

10. .A liquid level control device-comprising a constant level'chamberthaving an-inlet and an outlet, a valve member controlling said inlet, a valve member controlling said outlet,.a.fioat memberresponsiveto liquid level in said chamber, 'a resilient lever operatively connecting said float member to said inlet valve member I to vmaintain a substantially 'constant'level'in said chamber, means to close 'said'outletvalve-.member, ashiftable shearing for-said :lever, abutment means engageable 'by;saidifloat member,;and;meansaoperableupon. movementof said .outlet :valvemember to closed positionto'shift saidbearing to :move said float :member :against "said abutment means and to move said :inletvalve member .toaclosed. position, said rbearing havingyprovisi'on for. overtravel thereby to :tensionzsaidi lever to hold said inlet valve memberandsaidfloatrmemberagainst movement.

11. A'Lliquid level control .device, 'lcomprising :a constant level chamber having an :inlet :and .i an outlet, adjustable -means controlling "now from said outlet, adjustable means controlling fiowzinto said chamber fromsaid inlet-in accordance with the llow'from said outletxto maintain a=desired liquid level in said chamber, means to adjust'said outlet controlling means "to change :the rate .of 'flow'from said'ch'amberyandtmeans operable by said adjusting 'means 'to adjust :said inlet controlling means to maintain adifferentiliquld level in said chamber upon adjustmentofsaid loutlet controlling means to change the flow rate Ifrom said chamber.

12. A liquid level control rdevicegcomprisinga constant level chamber having an inlet rand an outlet, a metering valvehavinga'flow controlling portion and having a cut-off portionfor:reciprocally fitting saidoutlet'to clean the same, .a float controlled valve for said inlet, resilient means to seat said float-valve, and means actingtthrough said resilient means toseat'said fiOat valve upon movement of said'cut-ofi portion into said outlet.

13. -A liquid level control device, comprising :a constant level chamber having an inlet and :an outlet, a metering valve'havingr-a flow controlling portion and having a "cut-off portion cooperable with said outlet, a valve member controlling said inlet, a float member having a lever operatively connecting said float member to said valve memher, a mo-vably supported pivot for said lever, resilient means opposing movement of said pivot to seat said valve member, and, means operable upon actuation of said metering valve to close said outlet to move said pivot against the force of said resilient means and close said valve member irrespective of the liquid level in said chamber.

14. A liquid flow controlling device, comprising a constant level chamber having an upwardly opening inlet and an upwardly opening outlet, a guide means having lateral ports and surrounding said inlet, a guide means having lateral ports and surrounding said outlet, a valve member reciprocable in said inlet guide means and controlling said inlet, a metering valve having a tapered end portion controlling said outlet, said metering valve being movable into and having a reciprocable sliding fit in said outlet to close off flow therethrough and to clean said outlet, a cover member on said chamber and having an aperture alined with said outlet, a stem on said metering valve reciprocable in said outlet guide means and extending through said aperture, an adjustable supporting lever extending across said chamber and having an aperture thereth'rough receiving said stem, a, leaf spring secured to and spaced from and extending along said lever and having an aperture therethrough receiving said stem, a pin extending laterally from said stem and engaging the underside of said leaf spring, a helical spring surrounding said stem and held under compression between said leaf spring and a downward facing shoulder on said stem so that Number Name Date 2,183,815 Johnson Dec. 19, 1939 2,199,538 Curry May '7, 1940 2,336,730 Hayter Dec. 14, 1943 2,338,319 DeLancey Jan. 4, 1944 2,274,145 Johnson Feb. 24, 1942 2,301,041 Hann Nov. 3, 1942 said pin is held against said leaf spring, a bayonet slot in the upper end portion of said outlet guide means and cooperable with said pin to hold said metering valve in closed position, said supporting: lever having a fulcrum slot at one end, a fulcrum pin receiving said fulcrum slot, a coil spring acting longitudinally of said lever and holding said lever on said fulcrum pin and having a com-- ponent of force urging said metering valve toward open position, an annular float surrounding said outlet guide means, a lever secured to said float and pivotally secured to said inlet valve member, a fulcrum pin for said float lever and carried by said supporting lever, the wall of said chamber having opposed vertical guide slots for the ends of said last-named fulcrum pin and opening upwardly from said chamber, a bracket removably carried by the wall of said chamber and receiving one end of said coil spring, and a stop screw engageable by said adjustment lever to limit opening movement of said metering valve by said coil spring.

WALTER S. LANDON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

